Raleighwoods!!

So I finally did what I said I would never do. I went back to Raleigh. I guess when I first went to Raleigh, I judged it as a commuter unfriendly community with no scene. By the time I left, it was turning a new greener leaf. It's not only that I was learning of the great things, but they were actually starting! Most of my friends were cyclists. Most of my friends commuted by car. Most of the cars tried to hit me. Downtown was barren. Slammer Magazine was the kind of deranged entertainment to be had. Nearing the end of my stay...well...it was different. Downtown was bustling. Bikes were hot. Cyclists were hotter. I must say, my return showed me that the rise of Raleigh kept going. It was....fun!

Before my opinion of Raleigh depended on when you asked me, if there was booze, were there bikes around, etc. but real talk, that shit is cool now.

Unfortunately, I chose hanging out over packing up and totally forgot my camera. Sarah saved me on the Raleigh front and I definitely saw someone taking pictures at the wedding, I think anyway, so I should be covered.

Friday I: Visited Doris, and then daughter 1 walked in, then daughter 2...it took a southern minute anyway. Oh and BTDubs, this was via Sarah's bike which I had to bring into the shop to fix to have brakes! Then I went to the LAB lab and visited the old coworker family. Nuts as always. Then I went to the DTR. Cyclists came out (prolly in cars) and the other LAB heads were there too.

Saturday I: Breakfast/Lunch tradition with Sarah. Then weddinged it. Saw additional more pro cyclists and more pro cyclists dancing.

Sunday I: Saw Joel face make a sandwich. Farmers market! Art museum!!

Then back to Oakland. Sarah, send me some pics.

Guess what I did!!!

EVERYTHING!!!

I replaced my cables and housings

I adjusted my front dérailleur

I adjusted my rear piece

I readjusted my brakes

And I re-wrapped my handlebar tape 23 times before TJBs fixed it

So please, ask me for assistance if you like but don't expect that it will take me any less than 2 weeks for any one fix.

Three items:

The Skuut:
skkkkuuuut

The wizard!:
Crud

The beards!! One is taking the picture though

It's been a long time

Since I rapped at ya. Next month's a big one. I'm going to DENVER and RALEIGH for some seriously eventful vacations. I'm heck of wicked pumped.

My Denver date:


My Raleigh date will be dates: bike team and the LAB lab, that should keep me busy in DTR

Green baggin' it

Said I didn't want a bag. Forgot I was "brown" baggin' it. Had to "green" bag it with the reusable.

Note the electrical outlet in the fence. Walnuts...

Spaniard

Tour highlight: Javierre

The Tour Blog

My first tour!! Wicked awesome! I pretty much am convinced that there is no other way to travel.

Daly City to Half Moon Bay
Half Moon Bay to Santa Cruz
Santa Cruz to Monterey
Monterey to Kirk Creek
Kirk Creek to Morrow Bay
Morrow Bay to Oceano
Oceano to Refugio
Refugio to Santa Barbara
Santa Barbar Amtrak to Oakland

Somewhere in the neighborhood of 400 miles with fully loaded packs. First time on a tour. First time on a touring bike. First time with panniers. Last time ever having tour apprehension.

Czech the pix:

We camped with the same people night after night. Our group slept until noon and would catch up and pass the others and be the first to the campsite the next night. Here we are kicking ass in Big Sur.


And our stellar cliff side campsite at Kirk Creek.



More Sur, sir.



This crazy mf'n tree in Morrow Bay - home of the renowned seafood restaurant located next to the nuclear power plant. We chose breakfast in the most catted out cafe...seriously, I've never seen so many pictures of cats in my life.


Pismo Beach Dinosaur Caves

We even made some stellar jokes!

What kind of property does a deer purchase??

Veal estate

Which then turned into....

What kind of property does a bicycle purchase??

WHEEL ESTATE

OMFG. WTF. FTW.